By Joy Baba-Yesufu
Global Rights Nigeria has called for a comprehensive investigation into the prolonged detention of minors involved in the August #EndBadGovernance protests, where they faced treason charges, a crime punishable by death in Nigeria.
The human rights organization demanded that policies and judicial protocols be overhauled to prevent such injustices from reoccurring.
In separate letters addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN) Kudirat Kekere—Ekun and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Global Rights’ Executive Director, Abiodun Baiyewu, expressed deep concern about the judicial handling of these minors’ cases.
Baiyewu highlighted the court’s duty to safeguard justice, lamenting what she described as a severe deviation from this ideal. The letter also emphasized that swift and resolute action by the Chief Justice is necessary, particularly concerning Justice Obiora Egwuatu’s actions, to establish a precedent for upholding judicial impartiality and protecting Nigerians’ rights.
Baiyewu maintained that Justice Egwuatu’s actions were a troubling example of judicial complicity with executive agencies, leading to the erosion of constitutionally guaranteed rights, especially the rights to protest and peaceful assembly under Sections 39 and 40 of Nigeria’s Constitution. “It is deeply concerning that the Court would issue orders restricting these rights,” she stated.
The rights group expressed further alarm over reported manipulations by prosecutors, alleging that they altered the minors’ ages on official charge sheets to make them appear older, thus justifying extended detention. This tampering not only violated the Child Rights Act of 2003 but also ran counter to the government’s obligation to prioritize children’s best interests.
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